Uber to withdraw from Quebec after new regulations call for driver training

The controversial ride-hailing company Uber has been in the press a lot recently, as the Mayor of London has refused to let the company continue operating in the city. However, it's not just Britain where Uber is having problems – the firm is reportedly pulling out of the Canadian province of Quebec.

Last week, the region's government announced new legislation that would bring Uber in line with traditional taxi operators. The regulations would force Uber drivers to undergo more stringent background checks, have their cars inspected every 12 months, and undergo 35 hours of training before they're allowed behind the wheel.

Currently, Uber only requires drivers undertake 20 hours of training, and carries out background checks with a private security firm rather than the police.

Unless Quebec scraps the proposed legislation, Jean-Nicolas Guillemette, general manager of Uber Quebec, says the company will stop operating in the region by October 14.

Despite only being in Quebec as part of a one-year pilot scheme, Uber has racked up nearly a million users and employs 5,000 drivers each week. Many of these are part-time, leading to Uber's outrage about the longer training hours required by the proposed plans.

"Can you imagine someone on Airbnb that is renting his apartment once, twice or three times a month, or three times a year?" Guillemette asked. "That person would not be required to take 35 hours of training. And it's the same situation for these drivers, working for Uber."Not everyone was as angry as Uber, however. "I don't care,"

Denis Coderre, the mayor of Montreal, told news channel BNN. "Frankly we need to have some regulation, and if they threaten to leave I don't care."

Leaving Quebec could be a major blow to Uber, though it would not be as damaging as a final ban from London would be. Uber has appealed Transport for London's decision, and is allowed to continue operating in the capital while the appeal is ongoing.

Uber to withdraw from Quebec after new regulations call for driver training

The controversial ride-hailing company Uber has been in the press a lot recently, as the Mayor of London has refused to let the company continue operating in the city. However, it's not just Britain where Uber is having problems – the firm is reportedly pulling out of the Canadian province of Quebec.

Last week, the region's government announced new legislation that would bring Uber in line with traditional taxi operators. The regulations would force Uber drivers to undergo more stringent background checks, have their cars inspected every 12 months, and undergo 35 hours of training before they're allowed behind the wheel.

Currently, Uber only requires drivers undertake 20 hours of training, and carries out background checks with a private security firm rather than the police.

Unless Quebec scraps the proposed legislation, Jean-Nicolas Guillemette, general manager of Uber Quebec, says the company will stop operating in the region by October 14.

Despite only being in Quebec as part of a one-year pilot scheme, Uber has racked up nearly a million users and employs 5,000 drivers each week. Many of these are part-time, leading to Uber's outrage about the longer training hours required by the proposed plans.

"Can you imagine someone on Airbnb that is renting his apartment once, twice or three times a month, or three times a year?" Guillemette asked. "That person would not be required to take 35 hours of training. And it's the same situation for these drivers, working for Uber."Not everyone was as angry as Uber, however. "I don't care,"

Denis Coderre, the mayor of Montreal, told news channel BNN. "Frankly we need to have some regulation, and if they threaten to leave I don't care."

Leaving Quebec could be a major blow to Uber, though it would not be as damaging as a final ban from London would be. Uber has appealed Transport for London's decision, and is allowed to continue operating in the capital while the appeal is ongoing.

This is the attitude TFL and every other licensing Authority should take against those who flaunt the regulations,just waiting to see what all these other operators are going to do when their drivers ask for their holiday pay.

"Can you imagine someone on Airbnb that is renting his apartment once, twice or three times a month, or three times a year?" Guillemette asked. "That person would not be required to take 35 hours of training. And it's the same situation for these drivers, working for Uber."

Ha Ha Ha Ha...come on uber...make up your mind...In London tribunal appeal hearing uber stated they are not a Gig economy operation and now compare themselves with Airbnb...which is definitely part of the Gig economy !

"Can you imagine someone on Airbnb that is renting his apartment once, twice or three times a month, or three times a year?" Guillemette asked. "That person would not be required to take 35 hours of training. And it's the same situation for these drivers, working for Uber."

"Can you imagine someone on Airbnb that is renting his apartment once, twice or three times a month, or three times a year?" Guillemette asked. "That person would not be required to take 35 hours of training. And it's the same situation for these drivers, working for Uber."

What about the gas man servicing that apartment, or the electrician?

Would someone be able to do that work with no training?

That is exactly what the Tory government want,remember years ago they had people doing 8 week dilutie welding courses claiming they were as good as a 5 year apprentice welders course and when these diluties got jobs in the shipyards all the welding they had done had to be redone by a fully skilled welder.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum